How to Care for a Flowering Cactus
If you love the idea of decorating your living space with houseplants but you're short on time, or if you don't have room for a Boston fern or philodendron, a flowering cactus may be just the ticket. A flowering cactus has only a few basic needs that will take only a few minutes of your time, and and most cacti require very little space.
Locate flowering cactus in bright, but indirect light. Too much light can fade the blooms or cause the blooms to drop off prematurely. If you don't have adequate light, you can put flowering cactus under a grow light.
Keep flowering cactus in a fairly warm environment. Night time temperatures should be between 55 and 60 degrees. During the day time, flowering cactus will do well in temperatures of about 70 degrees.
- If you love the idea of decorating your living space with houseplants but you're short on time, or if you don't have room for a Boston fern or philodendron, a flowering cactus may be just the ticket.
- A flowering cactus has only a few basic needs that will take only a few minutes of your time, and and most cacti require very little space.
Water flowering cactus until water runs through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot, but never let the pot sit in water, which can cause disease and rot. Feel the soil with your fingers before you water, and allow flowering cactus to dry slightly between each watering.
Feed flowering cactus an all-purpose water-soluble houseplant fertilizer or tomato fertilizer once a month during the growing season. Don't fertilize the cactus in December and January.
Care For A Flowering Succulent Cactus
Place your cactus in a sunny window or outdoors in a partially shaded area until it becomes accustomed to the sun. Cacti prefer cooler nighttime temperatures, so a window sill or patio is an ideal place. Grow succulents in equal parts potting soil and sand or well-draining cactus mix. Holiday cacti should receive 10-10-10 fertilizer monthly in the spring and summer but 5-10-5 in the fall while the flowers are forming. Don't fertilize cacti in the winter. Water succulents deeply until water drains through the pot. If they're indoors, once a month can be enough. Outdoors, you may need to water them every three days depending on how quickly the soil dries out. If it comes out clean, water the cactus. Reduce watering in the winter.
- Water flowering cactus until water runs through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot, but never let the pot sit in water, which can cause disease and rot.
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Writer Bio
M.H. Dyer began her writing career as a staff writer at a community newspaper and is now a full-time commercial writer. She writes about a variety of topics, with a focus on sustainable, pesticide- and herbicide-free gardening. She is an Oregon State University Master Gardener and Master Naturalist and holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative nonfiction writing.
